Phil Sheridan reportd for the Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia Eagles MLB Barry Gardner actually played more Sunday than starter, MLB Levon Kirkland. Coach Andy Reid wouldn't begin to address the question of which of them would start at middle linebacker at Washington next week. "We're going to go back and look at it," Reid said. "I want to wait and see what it looks like on the film."

PhiladlephiaEagles.com reports MLB Levon Kirkland will start at middle linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday ahead of MLB Barry Gardner. “They both did a heckuva a job,” said coach Andy Reid. “You have to start one of them, and that is going to be Levon. I am not going to slight either one of them. They are both going to play.”

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid said he thinks both LBs Levon Kirkland and Barry Gardner will end up “playing quite a bit” this weekend. He wouldn’t say who will start the game at MLB. He said the team will see how things work out this week but defensive coordinator Jim Johnson plans to have both on the field.

PhiladelphiaEagles.com reports defensive coordinator Jim Johnson is happy with the progress of LB Levon Kirkland. When asked how well Kirkland is picking up the defense, Johnson replied, “Good. Every day he’s better. He’s working at it. It comes down to the game time. Right now, I couldn’t expect any more from him to tell you the truth.”

The Seattle Times reports Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren said the team may be looking for some veteran experience at the middle linebacker position. Isaiah Kacyvenski is the current starter at MLB with the release of veteran Levon Kirkland. Holmgren said the team is talking to a few players and someone could be signed by next weekend.

Dave Spadaro reports for Philadelphia Eagles.com you can look for a huge battle in training camp between MLBs Barry Gardner and Levon Kirkland for the team's starting MLB spot. Kirkland has to adjust very quickly, learn the defensive scheme and play well to unseat Gardner right away.

Phil Sheridan reports for the Philadelphia Inquirer the Philadelphia Eagles may be giving some thought to pursuing LB Levon Kirkland. Eagles president Joe Banner declined to comment on whether the team had interest in Kirkland. Agent Mason Ashe did not return a call to Sheridan. If Kirkland gets back in shape, he could sign with the Eagles as a challenge to MLB Barry Gardner. Chances are, the Eagles interest in Kirkland will be heavily influenced by what coach Andy Reid hears from Seattle coach Mike Holmgren.

The Seattle Times reports Seattle Seahawks LB Isaiah Kacyvenski is expected to take over as a starting inside linebacker after Friday's release of Levon Kirkland. Kirkland's release was not a salary-cap issue, but likely more related to Kacyvenski's development and concerns about Kirkland's weight during a mini-camp this spring. Kacyvenski has never started a game.

Seahawks.com reports the team has released LB Levon Kirkland. "Levon filled an important role for this team and its development last season. He brought toughness and leadership to the club while our young guys were growing and maturing," said Executive Vice President/Coach Mike Holmgren. "We have decided to move in a different direction, but want to thank Levon for his contributions to the Seattle Seahawks."

According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Seahawks LB Levon Kirkland won’t be participating in the team’s voluntary camp this week. He was married over the weekend and is currently on his honeymoon.

The Post-Intellingencer reports Seattle Seahawks FS Marcus Robertson and MLB Levon Kirkland were held out of practice yesterday, but each is expected to return today and start against the Cowboys. Neither is listed on the official injury report. DE Lamar King (calf) did not practice yesterday, but he is expected to return to practice today.

The Post Gazette reports Harold Lewis, the agent for free agent LB Mike Jones (Rams), said the Steelers would like to complete a deal for his client before the start of the draft Saturday. He said the Steelers are looking at Jones to replace Levon Kirkland at one of the inside positions and not as a situational player. Also, as previously reported, the team likely will match the offer sheet backup RB Chris Fumatu-Ma'afala received from the New England Patriots and keep him. If they keep Fuamatu-Ma'afala, the Steelers would go to camp with six RBs, Fuamatu-Ma'afala, Richard Huntley, Jerome Bettis and Amos Zereoue and FBs Dan Kreider and Jon Witman. One of the backs could be cut, with Huntley the name most frequently mentioned.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports linebacker is now a position the Steelers should address in the first few rounds of the upcoming draft. With Levon Kirkland gone, the Steelers depth of experienced talent at the LB position is thin. Kirkland's experience and leadership will be tough to replace, but the team has to be concerned with finding someone that can replace the 109 tackles he made last year. To make matters worse, LBs Jason Gildon, Earl Holmes and John Fiala are all eligible for unrestricted free agency next year.

Mike Sando reports for the Tacoma News Tribune the Seattle Seahawks added another team leader with yesterday's contract agreement with free agent S Marcus Robertson. An announcement by the team was not expected before Robertson signed the contract. "I think Mike Holmgren is finally going to be putting his football team on the field," Robertson said, "and we all know you have to be excited about that." Robertson, DL John Randle and Chad Eaton along with LB Levon Kirkland will only count for $7.11 million of the $67.4 million allotted by the NFL under the salary cap in 2001. Up next for Holmgren via free agency could be a decision on WR Jerry Rice and the possibility of adding him to a thin Seattle receiving group.

The Seattle Times reports Seattle Seahawks LB Levon Kirkland is looking at Seattle as a fresh start, which is one of the reasons he decided to sign with them rather than returning to Pittsburgh. Kirkland's weight problems have been a common topic over the years, but head coach Mike Holmgren stated any conversations about Kirkland's weight are going to be kept in-house this year because Kirkland is a bit sensitive regarding that subject.

The team's official web site finally announced the signing of LB Levon Kirkland to a multi-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks. "He brings two immediate attributes to our defense," said Executive Vice President Mike Holmgren. "He is a proven run-stopper, and a player with strong leadership abilities who makes us better." Earlier reports had the deal as a three-year, $7.5 million contract that included a $2.3 million signing bonus.

Scott M. Johnson reports for the Herald the expectations of the Seattle Seahawks defense are going to be very high after the additions of DTs John Randle and Chad Eaton and LB Levon Kirkland. "We have improved ourselves immensely," defensive coordinator Steve Sidwell said. In Randle, Eaton and Kirkland, the Seahawks have added 24 years of NFL service, eight Pro Bowl appearances and a wealth of playoff experience. The team allowed 2,454 rushing yards last season, something that should change in 2001. The three signed players also bring a lot of leadership to the team. Currently, coach/GM Mike Holmgren has set his sights on a veteran free safety - most likely Miami's Brock Marion or Tennessee's Marcus Robertson. One other need - another starting CB to join Shawn Springs.

The Post-Intellingencer reports Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Steve Sidwell is happy to have LB Levon Kirkland on his side now. "I have always considered him the best middle linebacker in the league," Sidwell said. Kirkland received a three-year, $7.5 million deal that includes a $2.3 million signing bonus from the Seahawks. Kirkland is expected to be introduced at a news conference Monday. Kirkland is expected to start on the Seahawks linebacking crew that includes Chad Brown and Anthony Simmons.

The Post Gazette reports the Pittsburgh Steelers visited with free agent TE Pete Mitchell (Giants) on Wednesday. As previously reported, free agent LB Mike Jones (Rams) also paid a visit. Director of football operations Kevin Colbert called it a coincidence that Jones visited one day after the Steelers lost LB Levon Kirkland. The team likely will not sign a replacement for Kirkland before the draft, when it will reevaluate their situation at linebacker.

As an update to a story first reported yesterday, John Clayton of ESPN reports the contract agreed to with the Seattle Seahawks by LB Levon Kirkland is a three-year, $7.5 million deal. Both sides will finalize the deal on Friday.

Updating previous stories, the Post Gazette reports Pittsburgh Steelers LB Levon Kirkland said he wanted a "fresh start," and thus he rejected an attempt by the Steelers to re-sign him and instead he agreed to terms with Seattle. Kirkland yesterday said from his home getting cut by the Steelers might have been a good thing for him and he was looking forward to a fresh start. LB Earl Holmes is expected to take Kirkland's spot while John Fiala is now the team's only backup at inside LB. The Steelers have invited a number of college players to their facility this week for pre-draft visits. Miami LB Dan Morgan spent Tuesday at the team's facility.

As an update to previous reports, SportsLine.com's Len Pasquarelli reports the deal between the Seattle Seahawks and LB Levon Kirkland didn't come down until later in the afternoon. The Pittsburgh Steelers made another run at signing him, but couldn't come up with enough money and their offer was rejected by Kirkland. Seattle, on the other hand, started the day with $8.04 million under the salary cap. Head coach Mike Holmgren said some final details still need to be worked out.

The Tribune Review reports coach Steelers coach Bill Cowher said WR Plaxico Burress is recovering "very well" from wrist surgery and probably will start catching footballs in another month. Patriots coach Bill Belichick said LB Mike Vrabel will compete for a starting job at outside linebacker and as a pass rusher on third down with the Patriots. He was signed as a free agent away from the Steelers earlier this off-season. Two top-ranking officials from different NFL teams, not the Seahawks or Steelers, said this week that they expect free agent LB Levon Kirkland to end up in Seattle.

Mike Sando reports for the Tacoma News Tribune that the Seattle Seahawks still have an offer out to free agent LB Levon Kirkland (Steelers), but no signing is imminent. As a follow up to earlier reports, WR Jerry Rice appears to be very much in the sights of the team as they currently only have three young wide receivers on roster. Rice, as reported, is expected to be released in June.

The Post Gazette reports Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher told the paper despite the loss of many free agents over the years, the two most difficult for him were LB Levon Kirkland and C Dermontti Dawson, his two captains. Cowher hinted to Dawson he could be let go, but he regrets not telling Kirkland he could be released. Despite the losses, Cowher is expecting good things this season, especially at QB and WR. Cowher would also like to get his contract extension done. He thinks QB Kordell Stewart will get better. His expectations are higher for his WRs, Plaxico Burress and Troy Edwards, along with Hines Ward. On the spot is Troy Edwards, entering his critical third season. Cowher also thinks WR Bobby Shaw gives them a solid No. 4 WR.

The Post Gazette reports Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said his team wants to get a deal done with free agent LB Levon Kirkland, formerly of the Steelers. "They definitely seem motivated," said Mason Ashe, Kirkland's agent. One concern on Kirkland is his weight is up to more than 290 pounds.